Department of Transportation and Communications Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya. Joseph Vidal/PRIB
MANILA, Philippines – President Benigno Aquino III on Monday said he would meet with Transportation Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya to discuss the problems involving the Metro Rail Transit (MRT).
“I’m scheduled to have a meeting with Secretary Abaya for more details on this,” Aquino said during an ambush interview in Davao City.
In the interview transcript made available to media, he said Abaya and the rest of the Department of Transportation and Communications were “on top of the situation.”
However, Aquino admitted that the MRT was really old, about 30 years old, and that it was serving more than 500,000 people daily.
He explained that following the frequent glitches, the MRT had to suspend operations during the weekend two weeks ago to “undertake a more thorough review of the entire system.”
Aquino added that the maintenance contract already expired last September 4 while more coaches will be purchased.
On the other hand, he slammed the Metro Rail Transit Corporation (MRTC) for suing the government over purchasing additional light rail vehicles.
“Dinemanda kami in trying to replace (They were suing us for trying to replace the coaches). I understand the people who are claiming that they have the right of force refusal to replace the units also wanted an extension of 25 years or 30 years in their franchise,” Aquino said.
He said the group also wanted to raise the ticket rates of the MRT.
“We are in government, can purchase it, why shouldn’t government purchase it? Tapos ‘nung nagka-purchase, kung anu-anong isyu na naman ‘yung lumabas…na influence peddling, etc.,” he added.
(We are in government, can purchase it, why shouldn’t government purchase it? Then when we raised the possibility, so many issues came out…including influence peddling, among others.)
Aquino said there are problems but it should be lessened as they address it.
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